10 Things to Know About Dropping Your Sorority

It's okay to panic, but always trust your gut.

This article was originally written for Fresh U by Anuja Daulat. It has been given minor edits before re-posting.

Greek life really is a captivating aspect of college. For some people, joining a sorority is the best decision ever made. For others, the realization that Greek life isn't all it's chalked up to be can hit like a ton of bricks. I happened to be one of the latter. While I have seen firsthand how amazing participation in Greek life can be for some, it sadly just wasn't the right thing for me. I ended up dropping my sorority after two weeks, and here are the 10 things that I went through in the weeks after I dropped.

1. You’ll go through the awkward phase.

Am I supposed to go to Chapter? Do I leave all of the group chats? Do I really have to give my t-shirts back? No, yes, and sadly, yes. Between having to tell the few friends you've made that you're leaving, and truly detaching yourself, the few days right after dropping are some of the most awkward.

2. You'll miss your first meetings.

It'll feel weird, but also like a blessing. Monday Chapter? Not anymore! New Member Meetings? Adios! It's liberating, but you feel like you're doing something wrong, especially when you see your old sisters walking to the house together every Monday evening.

3. You'll freak out.

You will panic. "Ugh, did I make the wrong decision?" That question will go through your head a million times. But, if you know in your gut that you made the right decision, then you’ve made the right decision. The freaking out is normal when you make any big decision so don’t worry.

4. You'll feel left out.

You’ll see your old sisters going to mixers and date events in the the weeks after you've dropped and you’ll be a little sad. You might go through another mini panic phase, but it's okay. Like I said, if you know what's best for you, then you know.

5. You'll want to go back.

It's hard to leave something that promised you comfort in a sisterhood, especially when you start to see the girls bonding with each other and having fun. You'll probably feel nostalgic when you see anyone walking around in your old letters, but don't worry, it's not the end of the world.

6. You'll remember why you dropped.

Obviously there was something that led you to making this decision. Whether it was the Greek culture in general, or the vibe of the particular house, there was a reason you didn't feel at home. Don't let the fear of missing out take over your gut instincts.

7. You'll make friends outside of your sorority.

Dropping your sorority throws you out of your comfort zone. Gone are the 80 girls that were your "sisters" for life. This forces you to really be as social as you can be and open to friendship with literally anyone you meet, and you will meet people you click with even if it's a little more difficult.

8. You'll hang out with your old sisters.

Once you realize that those friendships you made back in your sorority days were not confined to any walls, any lingering nostalgia will probably fade. Plus, you'll get to hear them complain about meetings and time commitments, making you all the more glad you no longer have to participate.

9. You'll realize that your social life did not crumble.

PSA: You do not have to be in a sorority to go to parties or hang out with friends. You'll realize girls are pretty much let into whatever party they want to go to, and that there are so many open social events going on around campus every night of the week.

10. You'll see how much there is to explore in college.

In the two weeks that I was in my sorority, I missed out on joining a multitude of cool clubs and organizations. College campuses have an incredible amount of ways for students to get involved, so take advantage of them!

Adjusting to college has been hard, and for you Greek life can be a way to make that adjustment easier. However, it made me feel even more overwhelmed. Even though I dropped my sorority, I do regret going through recruitment in any way. It brought me an interesting experience and close friends, along with the opportunity to make a decision for myself for one of the first times in my life. Everyone's experience is different. Just make sure you're making a decision for your own well-being rather than to satisfy someone else.